Oden = role player vs. Durant = franchise player

That's how I personally feel.

Durant takes the initiative and puts the team on his back while oden is a huge cog in a wheel.

I would take Durant 1 and Oden 2.

I could be wrong, but i never have been.

 

You might be right. But Ohio State failed to utilize Oden offensively. They basically let him roam around and collect garbage points. The NCAA is a perimeter game with lots of zone. Posts dont score. An early injury to Oden kept OSU from catering the offense around him. Oden basically became the entire defensive presence and an afterthought on offense. It was due to injury and necessity, not skill... On the rare occasions when Oden did take initiative on offense it was nasty. He is explosive as a young McDyess. As powerful as a young D. Howard.

In contrast Texas was flooded with freshman players. Barnes gave Durant free reign. It almost made David Stern's new rookie rule look stupid. This is what happens when you let a NBA caliber player run with amateur student athletes. Its ugly.

What I am trying to say is Durant was once underrated and Oden overrated. Currently I think the scenario has done a 180. I expect Durant's numbers to go down (ppg, fg%, reb, foul shots pg) whereas I see Oden's numbers increasing. Especially his scoring.

 

when that role is being a perennial 20-10 guy I'll take it, which is what oden will be.

 

Oden is going to be good simply b/c of the dearth of serviceable 5s. Oden/D. Howard is something I am looking forward to though. That being said, KD is simply amazing. It is not out of the question that we are seeing the birth of Larry Legend 2.0. LeBron/Durant/Anthony reminds me of the matchups of 5s in the 90s. Any how, I'd go with Durant.

 

You can also say Oden is a very humble person while Durant is more arrogant. Let their games speak for themselves.

 

What I meant was Durant's numbers from college will drop. Oden's will increase. Durant put up 26ppg.

 

Personally, I have never been that impressed with Oden. He is quick, but his offensive game leaves a lot to be desired.

IMHO, Durant will be the better player, and not by a little bit, but by a lot.

I created a much earlier thread about Oden-Not impressed, and I still feel that way.

DD

 

Do you see Oden being a better rebounder than Dwight Howard? I sure don't. I think Oden is a better shot blocker though. Question: What if you knew Oden was the 2nd coming of Dwight Howard, who would you take #1? I would take Durant. Why? He has already demonstrated several skillsets that will translate to the NBA. He already has several unblockable offensive moves that will translate. He already has the mindset to be a franchise player and dominate a game every chance he gets. His body is so far from being developed it isn't funny. (Remember what KG looked like as a rookie? When you see him now it's hard to believe). Durant is already a good rebounder (like 4th in the nation last year, I think).

My problem with Oden is I don't see the obsession with basketball that I see with Durant and therefore, IMO, Durant has a higher potential for improvement. Will Oden ever be a good enough post player to command a double-team on offense? We will see; I'm not sure. Maybe a fire will light under Oden early in his career and he will become an NBA terror but Durant already has that fire. Some of the stuff he did as a freshman last year were beyond awesome. His biggest challenge initially will be gaining muscle and his lack of strength will hinder him his first couple of years. After a couple of seasons, I think the clear consensus will be Durant > Oden.

 

A team couldn't go wrong in picking either Durant or Oden, both are as impressive as any 1-2 picks in any draft year. I really believe Durant will make more of an immediate impact than Oden, but feel Oden will be the better long-term player. Oden is as close to a young Bill Russell as they get, athletic, dominant on the defensive end, fierce rebounders, incredible offensive potential. I think Oden, like many superstar NBA centers (like Dream) will become a much better player in the NBA than in the NCAAs.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070622

 

A 6'9/10 player, with a wingspan of over 7'+, a complete game, with a killer instinct? I would take Durant in a heartbeat. Oden will be a very good player in the league, I just see Durant being better.

 

all i know is i am re-upping my league pass asap this upcoming season. seeing oden and durant is going to be a lot of fun, i like both of them in their own ways. i didnt get to see much of either of them this year on tv but i think both of them will do very well in the league but i am not sure if they'll achieve success on the team they will be drafted to.

(note: I do think portland does have a great chance of becoming a decent/playoff team again though they have some good talent up there)

 

add this to odens buldging disc in his back, his wrist (on his shooting hand) that never healed, and his one leg that's shorter than the other...

why would anyone take him over durrant who's completely healthy (as far as we know) and averaged 25-11 as a freshman in one of the toughest conferences in the country?

remember the small debate about weather or not lebron should really go first over melo since melo won the national championship?

a sportswriter wrote that you have to forget about all of the extra info about these players (size, accomplishments, etc...) and focus on who can do more on the court and who does it at a higher level. he went on to say that in 4 years, melo will be an all-star, but lebron will be the best player in the league. he was dead on.

i have to say the same about these two. in 4 years, oden will be an all-star, but durant might be one of the best players in the league.

 

I have not been that impressed with Oden when I've seen him play. I would say he might have Tim Duncan type potential, but that would be wrong b/c he doesn't have the touch from the blocks like Duncan has. Oden is very limited offensively.

Durant on the other hand seems like a Tmac type of player. Can score at will and create for others.

From a pure talent standpoint I take Durant.

 

Durant and Oden have been up for the same award 3 times now (two being a lot bigger than the others) and Durant has won both.

McDonald's High School All American Game MVP - shared with Budinger I believe

NCAA National Player of the Year - consensus.

Now, number one draft pick (which in all likelihood will go to Oden). All Durant's life, he has put up the stats, yet still plays second fiddle to Oden. Ranked 1-2 in High School and now looking to be the same way as they enter the NBA, Durant has done nothing but make his case that he is the true #1. The things he did in college were flat incredible. 37-23. Oden's best was 29-10. Don't get me wrong, that is a very good game. But Durant's AVERAGE was almost as good as that.

Everyone argues the players get bigger and quicker on the next level. Does this not apply to Oden? There are other 7 footers in the NBA, with bodies just as good. Why is he the it thing? They will both have setbacks in their rookie seasons, probably with similar reductions in numbers.

Oden's offense needs work. "His defense is INCREDIBLE!" So was Dikembe Mutumbo's. But would you go with Mutumbo over Durant?

Of course I'm not calling Oden Mutumbo, yet still, their style of play is similar to a young Dike. Am I wrong?

 

I have seen nothing to expect Oden to be a 20PPG scorer. He mainly powered folks. And he isn't Shaq Oneal athletic and powerfull where that will carry over to the next level. Maybe Oden will develop offensive polish, or maybe he will be a very average offensive NBA center and a very good to outstanding rebounder/defensive player. But nor do I see him the defensive presence of Hakeem or DR, or maybe Deke or Zo.

This is a tough call, if Oden was as sure fire as Shaq/Duncan/Robinson/Hakeem in terms of production or freaky athleticism, I would take him over Durant in a second, but I don't think he is that sure fire and Durant looks a promising as any forward coming out in a long time.

I see it more do you take a guy between Ewing/Deke or do you take a guy between Bird/Danny Manning. Not an easy call.

 

I fully agree. I saw Oden play several times last season. I kept waiting for the reviews to prove true. I kept waiting and waiting. I never saw much. He's big, relatively athletic, uh, he's big....

Durant is all-world. He is big, quick, shoots the lights out. Wow, best player in the draft by far. If the Rockets had the number one pick, it would he would be a no brainer. On the other hand, Oden is a project. Somehow, he doesn't have "star" written on him.

 

"I've even practiced giving interviews since fifth grade. I study the way other players talk in public, then rehearse in front of a mirror. Kobe is the best. I think he's the smartest guy on earth because he uses these big words I don't even know."


Now I doubt Durant's IQ......